Electrician&#39;s guide



1939- M. J. GALLAGHER ELECTRICIAN'S GUIDE Filed Feb. 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor r vm W 5 W7 1% &

Nov. 14, 1939. M. J. GALLAGHER 2 8 ELECTRICIAN s GUIDE Filed Feb. 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor a. J dfla fier By W 15m A iiorneys Patented Nov. 14, 1939 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device particularly designed for use by electricians engaged in the mounting of electric outlet boxes on walls and similar vertical supporting structures.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device whereby one may readily mark on a wall the place thereon where the outlet box is to be mounted to the end that the box may be accurately mounted and in a level position when so mounted.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the de- Vice,

Figure 2 is a top plan View thereof,

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the device,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line t- 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the device.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, it will be seen that the device comprises a supporting standard 5 having slidably mounted thereon a level indicated generally by the refer- .ence numeral 6. g

The supporting standard 5 is of the cross-sectional shape shown in Figure 2 while the body of the level 5 is provided intermediate its ends with a mortised groove or slot l corresponding to the shape of the supporting standard 5 so that the member 6 is slidably engaged with the standard 5 in a positive and eihcient manner.

The standard 5 is provided on the front face 8 thereof with two scales or series of graduations Q and it! respectively extending along the longitudinal edges of the member 5 as shown.

The scales 9 and ill are graduated in terms of feet and fractions thereof and the scale. 9 begins at the lower edge of the member 5 and is to be used when marking the wall where the finished flooring has been laid the graduations til begin approximately one inch upwardly from the lower end edge of the member 5 and are to be used when working from the under-flooring and before the finished floor has been laid and as is generally the prevailing circumstance in the average building construction job.

Also the scale 9 may be used when, for example, the member 5, separated from the level 8, is used as an ordinary rule as will be found desirable on occasions.

The level 6 has suitably mounted on the body thereof as at H a spirit level i2 of the bubble type.

The level it is mounted just below a sight opening it provided in the body of the level 8, and the lower edge i l of the opening it is in a horizontal plane and serves as an index to be read against the graduations of the scale 9 or It as. the case may be.

Also for securing the level 6 at the desired position of adjustment on the member 5 the member 6 is equipped with a set screw i5 that has threaded engagement with a sleeve i6 embedded in the body of the member 6 and is adapted to be threaded home into binding engagement with the member 5 after the level 6 has been moved to the desired position of adjustment on the member 5.

It will also be noted that the upper and lower edges of the level 6 are straight and parallel and in actual practice the width of the level 6 will correspond or be equal to the vertical dimensions of the electric outlet box.

In using the device as thus described the lower edge of the member 5 is positioned on either the finished floor or the under-flooring as the case may be after the member 6 has been moved to'and secured to the proper position of adjustment on the member 5.

The device is placed against the wall on which the outlet box is mounted and the position of the level 6 on the bar 5 will indicate the proper distance above the flooring at which the box is to be mounted.

With the device placed against the wall the upper and lower edges of the member 6 are used for drawing straight lines on the wall and which lines, obviously, are to be used as a guide in securing the outlet box to the wall.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, utility, advantages and manner of using a device of this character will be had with out a more detailed description.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a standard having a straight lower edge and graduations on the front face thereof extending longitudinally, an elongated cross member of greater thickness than the standard and having a vertically arranged notch in its center which opens out through the rear face of the cross member and through which the standard passes with the rear face of the standard flush with the rear face of the cross member, the cross-sectional shape of the standard and the shape of the notch acting to slidably hold the cross member on the standard, said cross member having a centrally arranged sight opening therein, the lower wall of which is straight and located at the longitudinal center of the cross member, said opening exposing the graduations on the front face of the standard, said cross member having straight and parallel upper and lower edges, a screw carried by the cross member engaging the standard for holding the parts in adjusted position, and a spirit level horizontally arranged on the front face of the cross member and located below the opening and paralleling the bottom wall of said opening.

2. A device of the class described comprising a standard having a straight lower edge and graduations on the front face thereof extending longitudinally, an elongated cross member of greater thickness than the standard and having a vertically arranged notch in its center which opens out through the rear face of the cross member and through which the standard passes with the rear face of the standard flush with the rear face of the cross member, the cross-sectional shape of the standard and the shape of the notch acting to slidably hold the cross member on the standard, said cross member having a centrally arranged sight opening therein, the lower wall of which is straight and located at the longitudinal center of the cross member, said opening exposing the graduations on the front face of the standard, said cross member having straight and parallel upper and lower edges, a screw carried by the cross member engaging the standard for holding the parts in adjusted position, and a spirit level horizontally arranged on the front face of the cross member and located below the opening and paralleling the bottom wall of said opening, the graduations on the standard being arranged in two longitudinally extended rows, one at one side edge and the other at the other side edge, with one row beginning at the bottom of the standard, and the other row beginning at a point a certain distance from said bottom of the standard.

MICHAEL J. GALLAGHER, 

